Disposable medical drape

ABSTRACT

Drape systems, apparatuses and methods are provided. In some aspects a drape may create an impervious barrier for preventing medical contaminants from contaminating a medical table and/or a medical table base. One drape embodiment includes a central portion, a first end cover and a second end cover, and first and second side portions having fold portions for forming troughs. A drape embodiment may include an absorbent surface having a discontinuous section and in inner perimeter for forming a barrier about a medical table base.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The invention of the present disclosure relates generally to disposable medical drapes and, more particularly, to systems, apparatus and methods for draping medical tables, equipment and personnel in medical situations, for example, in hospitals, emergency room and surgical procedures.

BACKGROUND

Advances in medical science have brought technological improvement and more sophisticated equipment into the medical setting. By way of example, many medical tables in use today in operating and emergency rooms are highly mechanized and adaptable to many different needs and scenarios. As compared to more simple conventional medical tables, medical tables today are often specialized, computerized and fully adjustable. The table controls and computerized parts may actually reside within the table itself, for example, at or in the base of the table. These tables are quite expensive, and while solving many medical needs, challenges have arisen to prevent contamination of such equipment which must then be taken out of use for extensive, time consuming and meticulous decontamination. Even worse, contamination and fluids reaching the computerized table parts could indefinitely or permanently take a medical table out of service.

Preventing exposure of personnel has long been a concern in the medical field, particularly in surgical and emergency room procedures where blood, body fluids, medications and irrigation fluids can quickly accumulate to produce large amounts of fluids that are released. During intense medical treatment, for example in high trauma situations, the doctors and medical staff should be able to focus on the patient and not be expected to turn their focus to clean-up and control of the possibly contaminating fluids during the patient's treatment. In certain injuries, such as injuries to the head, chest and abdomen, higher than average amounts of blood and irrigation fluids may be discharged, compounding the contamination and fluid control problem. Issues with health, contamination, cross-contamination and safety are of major concern, especially in these types of situations. These concerns are also balanced with the economics involved with providing a solution, as many alternatives are cost prohibitive in hospital and first responder scenarios.

Applicant realizes that not only is contamination of personnel an issue of concern but also contamination and/or exposure of equipment, for example, the more advanced, computerized equipment and medical tables. In the past, standard medical tables were more manual, simple and easier to clean, however, rapidly developing advancements in such equipment now creates much larger contamination concerns. The computerized tables have sensitive electronics that complicate the decontamination process. Today, hospital reimbursement rates may be affected by contamination mitigation and patient health depends on sterile environments, and expensive computerized table contamination can cause cross-contamination exposure and, thus, increasing costs and health threats. Applicant believes improvement is needed toward these and other challenges.

Therefore Applicant desires an economical drape system, apparatuses and methods that provide better management of fluids in medical situations to minimize contamination and safety concerns.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present disclosure, drapes and drape systems and methods are provided for containing waste fluids and the like. This disclosure provides improved drapes, kits, assemblies and methods that are convenient, efficient, and safe for the user.

A drape for containment of medical waste fluids may include a central portion, a first side portion having a first fold portion, a second side portion having a first fold portion, a first end cover, and a second end cover. There may be at least one attachment point on the first side portion and/or at least one attachment point on the second side portion. The first fold portion may be configured to double over the first side portion along a fold to form a trough. Another first fold portion may be configured to double over the second side portion along a fold to form a trough.

The drape may include sealed seams to form an impervious barrier at least about the top and sides of the medical table.

In other embodiments, a table base drape may include a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end, and a second end. The table base drape may be configured to for n a perimeter around a table base. An opening may be included in the table base drape for fitting the drape around a table base.

A drape system may include a drape and a table base drape. In some examples the drape and table base drape may be one-use and disposable.

Methods for a drape system are also included. One example includes a method for protecting a medical table and/or a medical table base by any of the drapes disclosed. Some examples include methods for containment of medical waste fluids by any of the drapes disclosed.

These and other aspects of the inventions of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings.

The above summary was intended to summarize certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Embodiments will be set forth in more detail in the figures and description of embodiments below. It will be apparent, however, that the description of embodiments is not intended to limit the present inventions, the scope of which should be properly determined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will be better understood by a reading of the Description of Embodiments along with a review of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top planar view of one example of a drape according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 1A is a top planar view of another example of a drape according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of one example of a drape folded according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a perspective side view of one example of a drape according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of another example of a drape according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a perspective side view of another example of a drape according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a top planar view of a table base drape according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is another top planar view of another example of a table base drape according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a top planar view of another example of a table base drape according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a bottom perspective view of one example of an over drape clamp according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7B is a side perspective view of one example an over drape clamp according to FIG. 7A.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as “forward,” “rearward,” “left,” “right,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Referring now to the drawings in general and FIG. 1 in particular, it will be understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the disclosure or any invention thereto.

FIGS. 1-1A shows a top view of examples of a drape, generally designated 10, according to the present disclosure. The drape 10, for containment of medical waste fluids, may include in some embodiments, a top surface 21 and a bottom surface 23, a central portion 20, a first side portion 22 and a second side portion 22′. The first side portion 22 may include at least a first fold portion 24. The second side portion 22′ may include at least a first fold portion 24, a second fold portion 24′, etc. Any number of fold portions may be accommodated. The first side portion may also include one or more attachment points 32 a, 32 b. The second side portion may include one or more attachment points 32 a, 32 b. The first side portion 22 and second side portion 22′ may often have secondary attachment points 32 c. The attachment points 32 a, 32 b, 32 c and 32 d may be spaced apart horizontally along the length of the side portions and extend vertically upward from a distal edge of the side portions 26, 26′. Any number of attachment points is considered within the scope of this disclosure.

The first and/or second side portions 26, 26′ may be extended lengths. Some embodiments include an extended length that drapes over the side of the table and extends downward at least half way between the table and the floor. In some examples, the extended length may drape over the side of the table downward and extend at least ¾ way between the table and the floor. In some examples, the extended lengths may be between about 34″ to about 50″. An extended length provides more cover for the table and table area and helps prevent medical waste fluid escaping the central portion from running over the edges of a top of the table and spilling onto the floor and/or under the table and onto what may be the mechanized table parts, often found in the base of the table.

The fold portion 24, 24′ may be of varying lengths and configured to be turned upward by a distal edge 26, 26′ so that the fold portions are doubled over at a fold 28 such that the side portions form a trough 41, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3A. A trough 41 may be formed on the first side and/or on the second side. The fold portions may be secured at attachment points 32. The fold portion may include at least one attachment point 32 a. The attachment point 32 a may mate with an attachment point on the side portion 22, 22′. The attachment point on the side portion 22, 22′ may be spaced apart from an upper edge of the side portion 22, 22′, where the side portion attaches to the central portion 20, so that the trough 41 is not in contact with central portion 20. The trough 41 may be formed on a lower part of the side portion 22, 22′ so that the trough 41 and collection and absorption of waste fluids by the trough 41 are kept away from a table work space and away from the table top and table top edges where medical personnel may be working in close proximity to the patient and the table. In some cases, where fluids are puddled/pooled in a fluid collection reservoir too near the table top, the reservoir may get in the way of medical personnel or may be placed under pressure as workers lean over the table, forcing some fluids to escape a collection point in conventional table covers.

The trough 41 size may be variable. The trough 41 may be continuous at the bottom of the trough. The trough 41 may be open on at least one side at the top of the trough 41. The trough may be open along the ends of the trough 41. When a trough 41 is formed, waste fluids escaping beyond the central portion 20 may be encouraged to flow along the side portions 22, 22′ and/or gather in the trough 41 to be absorbed by the drape. The trough helps prevent excess medical waste fluids from spilling over the medical table and onto the floor and/or onto medical personnel. Collection of the medical wastes in the trough 41 assists in easier and more sanitary cleanup post procedure and prevents spillage of fluids over the side of the table and onto the lower table.

Trough 41 may be adjustable height troughs, and in other embodiments may be fixed height cuffs with predetermined trough size. By way of example, adjustable height troughs may be beneficial in situations where the height of the table and/or the height of the doctor is unpredictable and often changing, for example in trauma surgery. In other scenarios, fixed height cuff troughs 41 may be useful in situations such as emergency surgeries with less variability, for example, C-sections surgeries.

The drape 10 may also include a first end cover 30 and/or a second end cover 30′. The end cover 30, 30′ may be, in some examples a clear film. End cover 30, 30′, as seen in FIGS. 2-3A, may be interfaced with the central portion 20 and at least a part of side portions 22, 22′ to from a complete cover for a medical table, covering past the top, ends and sides of a medical table. In some examples, the interface between the end cover 30, 30′ with the central portion 20 and side portions 22, 22′ may be sewn and/or sealed to create an integrally formed one-piece drape 10 cover for a medical table that encloses the top and sides of the medical table forming a barrier preventing contamination from reaching the table. In some examples, a heat seal or double adhesive may connect the end cover 30, 30′ to the central portion 20 and/or the side portions 22, 22′ to ensure no fluid pathways remain at the interface points of the drape. In some examples, the seams included in the drape 10 are sealed seams to form an impervious fitted drape.

The drape 10 may include more than one trough 41 forming a trough system. The trough system allows for comprehensive protection, for example, of mechanized tables, as well as for the adjustment of the size of the drape to accommodate both variation to surgeon height and alternate patient positioning (head down, head up, side tilt, etc.).

In other examples, the invention may be considered a drape 10 having adjustable collection troughs that are not fixed in dimension and that are extended downward from the table sides toward the floor. In other embodiments, drape 10 may be considered an impermeable drape for covering the entire surface of a medical table and forming a barrier between medical wastes and the medical table. The drape, in this embodiment, includes extended sides having troughs, the drape encapsulating the medical table to prevent fluid migration to internal table surfaces by absorbing and containing fluid by way of absorbent areas. The superabsorbent material may be dispersed throughout the drape and/or may be in sections on the top, along the sides and in the trough of the drape. In some examples, the ends of the trough 41 may be open and not bound.

FIGS. 2 and 2A shows an adjustable trough 41. FIGS. 3 and 3A show a portion of the side portion 22, 22′ upturned and to form a trough 41 and secured at attachment points 32.

Drape 10 may include malleable strips 25 along the edge of the trough 41 to shape the turned up edge of the trough to insure fluid does not roll over the outside edge of the turned up section of the drape. By way of example, any malleable material able to hold its shape will work for the malleable strips 25. For example, the strips may be malleable aluminum strips.

In some embodiments, the drape may be a table base drape. FIGS. 4-6 are top views of examples of a table base drape 50 according to the present disclosure. A table base drape may include a top surface 51; a bottom surface 53; a first end 52; a second end 54 and may be configured to form a perimeter around a table base. The table base drape 50 may have a long end 54 and a shorter end 52. In some examples, a table base drape 50 includes an opening 60 in the drape for fitting the table base drape around a table base. In other examples, the opening 60 may be a keyhole opening with a discontinuous section 62 of the table base drape 50, for example a slit from an outer perimeter 59 of the drape to an inner perimeter of the drape 57. The discontinuous section 62 may be formed by two adjoining sides. The adjoining sides may overlap. The adjoining sides may extend substantially in a transverse direction from the ends 52, 54 and/or the sides 56, 58 between the outside perimeter 59 and the inside perimeter 57. There may be more than one discontinuous section 62 in table base drape 50. The discontinuous section may be secured by attachment points 64.

The inner perimeter 57 of the table base drape may surround or be fitted to a table base. The inner perimeter 57 may take on any shape, by way of example, square, rectangular, rounded, etc. There may be at least one slit 61 along the inner perimeter 57 of table base drape 50 in order to fit more securely with the table base. The table base drape 50 may have an outer perimeter 59 that extends beyond an outer perimeter of the medical table. There may be adhesive strips 65 located about the inner perimeter 57 that secure the inner perimeter around the table base. Adhesive strips 65 may take on any shape and be located at any position about the inner perimeter 57.

In some embodiments, a drape 10 and a table base drape 50, as described above, may form a drape system for containment of medical waste fluids. In particular examples, the drape 10 may have attachment points that interface with attachment points on the table base drape 50 so the drapes form an attached drape system. A drape 10 and table base drape 50, two-piece drape system, creates in some examples, a maximum amount of table coverage and absorbency of the drape system, without encumbering the function of the table and/or the surgical personnel at work. The drape system 10, 50 creates an adjustable drape system for use with different sizes of medical table. Floor mats may also be used in conjunction with a table base drape and/or a drape system.

In some examples, drape 10 and/or drape 50 may be formed of layers. An impervious layer may form all or a portion of the bottom surface 23, 53 as a backing with an absorbent material layer forming all or a portion of the top surface 21, 51. In embodiments with a bottom imperious layer and an absorbent top layer, it is desirable for the drape to be flexible enough to allow for attachment of other technical or mechanical fixtures, such as for example, surgical rail clamps and/or atm boards. In some examples, such fixtures attach over the drape so an opening in the drape does not allow waste fluid to migrate through the opening to contaminate the underside and the table.

In some examples, the layers of the drapes 10, 50 may include a polyethylene layer, at least one layer of wood paper, a layer of polypropylene non-woven and a glue, such as a hot melt glue. In other examples, the layers of the drapes 10, 50 may include a layer of polyethylene, a layer of non-dust air laid paper, a layer of thermal bonding non-woven polypropylene and an adhesive. Plastics, non-wovens and combinations for use in the drapes are also considered within the scope of this disclosure.

Superabsorbent polymer may be included in the drape 10, 50. In some examples, superabsorbent polymer may extend along the central portion of drape 10, in some instances, from a substantial part of the central portion from end to end, for example from where the central portion joins the first end cover 30 to where the central portion joins the second end cover 30′. In other embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer may extend along the side portions 22, 22′. In still other examples, superabsorbent polymer may be included in the trough 41. Superabsorbent polymer may be in greater amounts in parts of the drape 10 and/or 50. The superabsorbent polymer areas included in the drape 10, 50 are configured so that, in certain embodiments, the fluids are absorbed by the drapes so as not to cause unabsorbed pooling of fluids that may readily spill if the drape is dislodged. By way of example, fluids directed toward the trough may be absorbed along the way to the trough and/or after reaching the trough.

The table base drape 50 may be, in some examples from about 77″ to about 92″ in length and from about 40 to about 56″ in width. The drape 10 may be, in some examples from about 22″ to about 30″ wide at the central portion 20, from about 34″ to about 50″ wide on the side portions 22, 22′, and from about 76″ to about 92″ in length at the central portion 20 and/or the side portions 22, 22′. Lengths and widths are exemplary and other dimensions are considered within the scope of this disclosure.

Attachment points 32, 64 may be any attachment securing structures, for example, hook and eye closures, buttons, fixed stitching, gluing, glue dots, strip adhesives, Velcro, buttons, binders, clips, clamps, drawstrings, and or hook and loop. More than one attachment point along the trough may increase surface area contact of the absorbent top surface with the waste fluids and may increase absorbent uptake of the waste fluids. Attachment points may take on any various shape, for example, strip adhesives may be square, circular, rectangular, linear, etc.

In some examples, over drape clamps 70 may be included to assist in securing attachment mechanisms to the table. Conventionally, clamps attach directly to side rails of the medical and operating room tables, however, in this scenario attaching to the side rails could cause perforations in the impervious drape and/or require an opening in the drape or create an exposed area of the table, preventing the drape from forming an impervious barrier. FIGS. 7A and 7B show examples of over drape clamps.

The over drape clamp 70, may attach either front to back or top to bottom over the drape. The clamp creates an attachment point for patient securement straps while not compromising the integrity of the impervious barrier provided by the drape. Clamps include a smooth gripping surface that resists ripping or tearing the more sensitive absorbent surface of the drape.

Methods for protecting a medical table and/or a medical table base by any of the drapes disclosed herein are considered within the scope of this disclosure. In some examples, methods for containment of medical waste fluids by any of the drapes disclosed within are also within the scope of this disclosure. A method for protection of a medical table may include enclosing a medical table with a drape having a central portion, a first end cover and a second end cover, and a first and a second extended side portion; forming at least one trough from a folded portion and securing the trough with an attachment point. The drape may include preformed troughs. Methods may also include securing a drape having an inner perimeter about a table base to protect the table base from contamination from medical wastes; securing the inner perimeter about the table base; and mating a discontinuous section of the drape to create a continuous perimeter about the table base.

Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structure and function. Many of the novel features are pointed out in the appended claims. The disclosure, however, is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts, within the principle of the disclosure, to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the general claims are expressed. Directional terms such as, “upward,” “downward,” “right” and “left,” are used for convenience and not intended to limit the disclosure. It is further noted that, as used in this application, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. 

I claim:
 1. A table drape for containment of medical waste fluids, comprising: a central portion adapted to cover a horizontal portion of a medical table, a first side portion extending laterally from the central portion and having at least a first fold portion, a second side portion extending laterally from the central portion and having at least a first fold portion, a first end cover extending beyond the central portion and forming an end barrier at a first end adapted to mate with the central portion along the horizontal portion, and the first side portion and second side portion along a lateral portion on each side respectively, a second end cover extending beyond the central portion and forming an end barrier at the second end adapted to mate with the central portion along the horizontal portion, and the first side portion and second side portion along a lateral portion on each side respectively, wherein said table drape is adapted to cover the medical table forming an impermeable barrier between a patient and the medical table, the table drape adapted to surround the horizontal portion of the medical table and extending beyond the sides and ends of the medical table toward a floor surface, at least one attachment point on said first side portion, and at least one attachment point on said second side portion, said attachment points on the first side portion and on the second side portion are separated from the central portion by a length of the first side portion and of the second side portion, wherein said first fold portions are configured to double over said first side portion and said second side portion respectively, along a fold to form a trough at a bottom edge of said first side portion and of said second side portion, wherein said trough is adapted to collect medical fluids along the trough.
 2. The drape of claim 1 wherein said attachment point attaches to another attachment point to secure said trough.
 3. The drape of claim 2 wherein said the size of said trough is adjustable based upon a selected attachment point.
 4. The drape of claim 3 including more than one attachment point vertically placed on said first side portion.
 5. The drape of claim 4 including more than one attachment point vertically placed on said second side portion.
 6. The drape of claim 5 including at least one secondary attachment point.
 7. The drape of claim 1 wherein said first side portion and said second side portion each have extended lengths.
 8. The drape of claim 7 wherein said extended lengths are between about 34″ to about 50″.
 9. The drape of claim 1 including super absorbent polymer in said central portion.
 10. The drape of claim 9 including super absorbent polymer extending into said first side portion and into said second side portion. 